Recently DFA'd Angels southpaw an option for two-year pact with Red Sox?
The Los Angeles Angels designated left-handed starter Patrick Sandoval for assignment ahead of the non-tender deadline in mid-November.The Halos could have been on the hook for $11.8 million, according to MLB TradeRumors.
In a move that was seen as a bit of a surprise, Sandoval is expected to miss most of the 2025 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery he underwent in June.
Sandoval, 28, was eligible for arbitration for the third time and was due to earn a slight raise on his $5,025,000 salary in 2024. The move will save the Angels money as they completely revamp their roster heading into 2025. Despite being non-tendered, the Angels can still negotiate with the lefty on a lesser deal.
The southpaw posted a 5.08 ERA with 81 strikeouts, 35 walks, and allowed eight homers over 79 2/3 innings this past season. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has a career 4.01 ERA in six seasons with the Angels, with his best campaign coming in 2022, when he had a 2.91 ERA in 148 2/3 innings.
Prior to getting hurt, Sandoval ranked in the 88th percentile with a 5.1 barrel percentage, 70th percentile in hard-hit percent at 36.3%, and 68th percentile with a 45.7% roundball percentage, according to Baseball Savant. The lefty offers a six-pitch mix that includes a changeup, slider, sinker, four-seam, curveball, and sweeper. He primarily uses his changeup (409) and slider (357) while sprinkling in his sinker and four-seamer. His command has never been great command but his fastball does sit around 93-94 mph and misses bats at an average clip.
Sandoval is now a free agent and could look for a two-year deal because he’s set to miss so much time next year.
Could the Red Sox make a play for Sandoval and sign him to a two-year pact similar to James Paxton, Michael Fulmer, and Liam Hendriks the last couple of years?
With the Red Sox looking to beef up their rotation this offseason with higher-end pitching options, Sandoval presents a low-risk/high-reward type candidate that could pitch at the backend of the rotation or as a bulk-innings hurler as he comes back from Tommy John.
Boston is currently connected to Max Fried, Roki Sasaki, Corbin Burnes, and Garrett Crochet this winter, and if the Red Sox can add any of them to their rotation, they’d join the likes of Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito.
Of the current starters on the roster, Giolito could become a free agent at the end of next season, opening a spot in the rotation for Sandoval or an internal candidate like Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester, or David Sandlin, who is quickly shooting up the ranks in the system.
It doesn't make a ton of sense for the Red Sox to sign and stash Sandoval with their young hurlers developing in the system and the possibility of adding two starters in free agency this winter. Sandoval will likely get a two-year pact from a team that can take a risk and see him pitch later in the season or in 2026. Teams like the Brewers and the Rays immediately come to mind as a potential landing spot for the lefty.
